We're all done in Galway as, after a difficult few months for Ulster, the northern province finish their calendar year on a high.

The win, as well as ending a five-game losing streak, lifts Ulster from 13th to eighth in the United Rugby Championship table with half their games now played.

You can read John Haughey's report here. Thanks for joining us this evening!

Image source, Inpho

Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak speaking on RTE: "It's a great result. I'm ecstatic to get the win, it's been a while for us.

"We're young, maybe we're naïve, but we've got to back ourselves.

"We want to get better, we want to push on. People have their opinions about where we're at, but going in there it's just about getting better.

"There's a break now to hopefully build on this and that's what we want to do."

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy: "I thought the lads were incredible.

"Things went against us during the week, even in the warm-up.

"Mike Lowry, we weren't sure he was going to get through the game so for him to put in that performance was incredible.

"We lost Rob Herring [in the warm-up], James McCormick comes onto the bench and he's in the game in 10 minutes.

"It shows you the strength growing in the group. We're missing top players and for our young boys to come out here and defend the way they did, I was very, very proud of them."

Ian Humphreys
Former Ulster fly-half Ian Humphreys on BBC Radio Foyle

At no point did it feel like the game was under pressure. Ulster felt in control in defence and attack.

We talked about [Timoney's] 150th Ulster cap a few weeks ago, when you're playing with James McNabney, Cormac Izuchukwu, Harry Sheridan, those young forwards, you need that experience

He was excellent, heavily involved in everything.

Chris Henry
Former Ulster & Ireland flanker on BBC Radio Ulster

Absolutely massive for Ulster, huge relief for the team, the coaches, the players. You can see it meant a lot.

They fronted up and the better team won.

There was so much doubt whether they could step up but they really did. Huge credit to them.

Player of the match Nick Timoney speaking to RTE: "Our backs were against the wall and I'm so proud to be part of this team. Couldn't be happier.

"We've lost a few in a row but it didn't feel like anything that we couldn't fix. We backed each other, played for each other, and I thought the young lads were incredible.

"It's that bit of confidence. The last two games have been good 60 minutes, so it's that belief that we can do it for the full 80. We had a two-score buffer but the character to keep them out at the end was incredible."

Ulster win - how much did they need that one?

Big performances from plenty of the younger players, especially those up front like Cormac Izuchukwu, James McNabney and Scott Wilson.

Connacht made plenty of mistakes but Ulster's defence, and their defensive application, was a huge step forward.

Plenty of hunger on both sides of the ball as they end their five-game losing streak.

Just as I call him under-rated, Nick Timoney has been named Player of the Match.

That feels like some sort of reverse commentator's curse if such a thing exists.

Some of Ulster's dynamic young forwards will, rightly, get the plaudits if the side hold on here but a word for Nick Timoney.

Another big turnover there from one of the more under-rated players in Irish rugby.

Ulster haven't won since mid-October.

They're just five minutes away now from a huge victory.

Can they hold on?

Well, that's a turnaround.

Ulster have coughed up scrum penalties all night but with an all new front-row, they get the decision this time from Andrew Brace.

Time ticking away for Connacht now.

Yet more harum scarum stuff in the Ulster backfield.

Mack Hansen chips through, the ball is bouncing all over the place and, eventually, Harry Sheridan has to take it over his own line.

Scrum five to Connacht

Some inexperience from debutant Wilhelm de Klerk there.

He's told to get off the ball by Andrew Brace, doesn't do so, and it's another penalty to Connacht.

Ooof. That's a horrible moment for Cathal Forde.

Connacht get the penalty on the edge of the Ulster 22 but he kicks it dead.

Just ten minutes to go for Connacht to get back into this one.

That's a MASSIVE turnover from Ulster.

Nick Timoney and Co. just won't let the ball out of the maul and Andrew Brace blows the whistle.

A real feather in the cap of an Ulster pack who have played really well this evening, scrum aside.

Ulster have to scramble back as Cordero kicks in behind but Doak fumbles into touch 10 metres from his own line.

Huge moment coming up...

That's Pete Wilkins' cue to remove Finlay Bealham.

Some shift again from the Irish international.

Connacht looking to hit back...

But they knock the ball on five metres out.

Scrum Ulster.

It's a real family affair now in Galway.

With Ben Murphy on for Connacht, Ulster head coach Richie Murphy has both his sons on the pitch.

No prizes for guessing which he'd prefer comes out on top over the next 20 minutes.